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NARRATIVE 



or THE 



IN THE 



COWTi 0¥ OXEID.1, 



PARTICULARLY 

IN THE BOUNDS OF 

» 

V" 
THE PRESBYTERY OF ONEIDA; 

IN THE YEAR 1826, 

TO WHICH IS 

APPENDED, AN EXTRACT FROM THE NARRATIVE 0? THE REVIVAt 
IN ITHAOA, 



WLxnl)in$ton: 

PRINTED BY WAY AND GIDEO] 
1837. 






9 



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ft 



At a meeting* of the Presbytery of Oneida, held in Whitesborough, Sep- 
tember 8, 1826— 

The Rev. John Fiiost, Rev. Moses Gullet, and Rev. Noai^Coe, were ap- 
pointed a committee to receive communications from ministers and others, 
respecting the late revivals of religion in this county, particularly within our 
bounds ; and to publish a narrative of the same, accompanied with such re 
marks as they should deem proper, and such suggestions as, in their judg 
ment, are calculated to sustain and increase the spirit of religion in out 
churches, 

NOAH COE, 
Stated Clerk of Oneida Presbytery. 



Washington City, d. c. 

March 12th, 1827. 

It may be necessary to inform the religious public that the following pages 
contain only such parts of the above Narrative as are deemed of general 
utility ; while only those things of local character, and of minor importance* 
Bavebeen omitted. 



mrratf fcc* &u 



VERNON. 

In this town there are two Presbyterian Societies, designated by 
the names of Vernon Centre, and Mount Vernon, 

Vernon Centre. 

The Rev. Mr. Barton, under whose labours the revival in this 
place commenced, being absent, the following facts were commu- 
nicated by a respectable member of the church, in September last: 

The revival commenced here in August, 1825. The number of 
hopeful converts is not far from one hundred and sixty-four. The 
number admitted to the church is one hundred and three. Twenty- 
seven of these are heads of families. The converts are among all 
classes and all ages, from 8 to 70. The youngest admitted to the 
church is about ten years of age. Several of these formerly pro- 
fessed to believe in universalism, and two were Roman Catholics. 
Only one among the hopeful converts, to my knowledge, has turn- 
ed back. 

The means which have been blessed, were fasting and prayer, 
preaching the plain truth and the whole truth of the bible, visiting 
from house to house, and meetings of inquiry. The church have 
been united in the work, with the exception of one member, who 
has since proved that he is not a member of the church of Christ. 
Great care has been taken to have the rooms, in which meetings 
were held in the evening, well lighted, and furnished with conve- 
nient seats. Means have been varied according to circumstances. 
Sometimes a dead silence in a conference meeting for two or three 
minutes, when Christians offered up one united supplication for 



the out-pouring of the Spirit, has been greatly blessed. But what 
has appeared to me most useful, is a humble reliance on the Lord, 
an undoubting faith in his promises, working just as though we 
could convert sinners; knowing and feeling at the same time, that 
ijfc is Christ alone who can change the heart, and giving to him all 
the glory. 

Our meetings of inquiry have been continued up to the present 
time, and of late have much increased in numbers and solemnity. 
Several instances of conversion have recently occurred. Appear- 
ances are favourable, and we are still hoping to see great things 
among us. The opposition is great. It seems as though Satan had 
here centered his legions. Our minister has been threatened with 
horse-whipping. The active members of the church have met with 
personal abuse, and the worst of Billingsgate language. Among 
the most violent in the opposition are two peace-officers! But none 
of these things move them. They still live and pray: and some of 
the church manifest an increasing zeal in the cause of God. Num- 
bers attend our anxious meetings, and many of them are under 
deep impressions. 

Mount Vernon. 

The following particulars are from the Rev. Calvin Bushnell, 
pastor of the Presbyterian church, received about the 1st of Oc- 
tober: — 

The revival commenced among my people about the middle of 
November. It was gradual, and did not become general till the 
latter part of December. The number of hopeful converts is about 
one hundred and forty. Fifty-nine have united with the Presby- 
terian church; about thirty with the Baptish church; and some with 
the Methodists. A number have not yet united with any church. 
The means are essentially the same as in former revivals, viz. 
preaching, fasting, and prayer; visiting from house to house, meet- 
ings of inquiry, and conference meetings. Among Christians, a 
good degree of harmony and brotherly love prevails, considerable 
fervency in prayer, and fidelity. There are fewer symptoms of 
apostacy among the hopeful converts, for the time, than I have wit- 
nessed in any former revival among this people. 

The revival, at its commencement, was characterized by a re- 
markable tenderness of spirit among Christians, and a disposition 



to confess their faults one to another. There was a season of great 
seaYchings of heart, such as I never before witnessed. Many old 
professors were so tried as to give up their former hopes, and, as 
it was said, obtained new ones. The work was also characterized 
by a more ardent and persevering spirit of prayer, than I had ever 
before witnessed. The converts who have united with the church, 
I must say, give as good evidence of deep and thorough conviction 
of sin, and real conversion to God, as in any revival with which I 
have been acquainted; and nothing of an opposite character has as 
yet appeared* Whether they are real converts or not, God only 
knows. 



SKENANDOAH. 

The revival in Vernon extended to the little church in this 
place, under the preaching of the Hev. Phinehas Robinson, who, 
in September, communicated the following facts :-— ■ 

The village of Skenandoah participated in some degree in the 
divine influence which has of late been so signally enjoyed. The 
heterogeneous character of its population, renders it an unpromis- 
ing field for moral cultivation. The church has ever been weak, 
and few in number. The moral and religious aspect of the church 
and society, in November last, was deplorable. This was made the 
subject of animadversion in public discourses at that time. Pro- 
fessing Christians were warned of the danger of self-deception. 
The great responsibility connected with their profession, was re- 
peatedly enforced. They began to examine themselves, and to 
manifest increasing sensibility. Discipline was administered, a 
day of fasting and prayer was observed, and a spirit of inquiry 
began to extend among those who hitherto had been unconcerned. 
Plain and solemn addresses to church members^ respecting their 
sins and obligations, had more effect on unbelievers than any 
other means whatever. During the excitement, there were fre- 
quent meetings in the week, as well as on the Sabbath. They 
were characterized by a great stillness, and a deep and awful so- 
lemnity. Fervent prayer, and visiting from house to house, were 
among the means most blessed. Many, by being visited, were led 
to attend upon the means of grace, who had wholly neglected 
them. The number of hopeful conversions were indeed few, ia 



comparison with the rich harvest of souls gathered in many larger 
societies. About fifteen is the probable number. Most of these 
were heads of families, from 30 to 40 years of age. When it is 
considered that this little number was gathered from a small ob- 
scure village which had enjoyed few religious privileges; that most 
of them were heads of families, training up a numerous offsprings 
that most of them were Dutch families, without an English educa- 
tion, and never before visited by a clergyman with a view to their 
spiritual interests — the heart of piety will surely derive no small 
pleasure from the fact, that this little number have been translat- 
ed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear 
Son. 



WESTERN. 

The following facts respecting the revival in Western, were 
furnished by the Rev. George W. Gale, who, on account of his 
health, removed there a little more than a year ago, and whose 
counsel and occasional labours have been a great blessing to the 
people: — 

The moral condition of this town, which has always been dark, 
was unusually so previous to the late revival. People might be 
seen in almost every direction, pursuing their business or their 
pleasure on the Sabbath, while few repaired to the house of God 
to offer their devotions to him who hath said — '* Thou shalt keep 
my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary." The establishment 
of a flourishing Sabbath school, and of prayer meetings, were re- 
garded as favourable tokens by those who observed the signs of 
the times, that God was about to " turn the captivity of Zion. " 

On the last of September, 1825, the Rev. Charles G. Finney ar- 
rived in town, (after a short visit to recruit his health in this coun- 
ty,) on his way to the county of St. Lawrence, where he had been 
labouring with success, and where the people were anxiously wait- 
ing his return. The urgent request of those who were mourning 
over these desolations, that he would tarry here for a season, in- 
duced him, after some deliberation, to stay. He commenced 
preaching three times on the Sabbath, and almost every evening in 
the week, in different parts of the town, besides visiting during the 



day from house to house. Professors of religion were urged to 
w pray without ceasing; believing the words of our Lord, that he 
is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than 
earthly parents to give good gifts to their children." Sinners 
were pressed with the duty of immediate repentance, by every 
truth and motive which the word of God presents, in language 
plain and pointed. These efforts were not permitted to be made 
in vain, even in this unpromising field. Christians were humbled 
for their past unfaithfulness, and led to pray as they had not 
prayed before. Sinners began to inquire what they must do. 
Convictions and conversions multiplied and spread through the 
town. In some instances whole households were converted. 

In this interesting state of things, the overwhelming influences 
of the Spirit of God in Rome, rendered it necessary for Mr. Fin- 
ney to spend all his time in that place. He spent twelve weeks 
here, after which his labours were required in other places; and 
there has been only occasional preaching with us. But meetings 
on the Sabbath have been kept up, and prayer meetings in the 
week in different parts of the town. Convictions and conversions 
through the winter and summer have been frequently occurring. 
The number of converts in this town, and that part of Lee 
where the people attended meetings here, is supposed to be about 
one hundred and forty. Thirty-seven have united with the Pres- 
byterian church, on eonfession of faith ; a number with other de- 
nominations ; and many have not yet united with any church. 

The great variety of denominations in this town has seemed to 
distract the minds of those who have indulged a hope of an inte- 
rest in Christ, and prevented many from uniting with any church. 
This, together with the prevalence of universalism, unitarianism, 
deism, great ignorance of divine things, and the habits of utter 
neglect, and even contempt, with many of the institutions of reli- 
gion, present powerful obstacles to the progress of vital godliness. 
The moral aspect which this town has presented, and which it still 
presents, and must for generations to come, speaks more than 
volumes could, the importance of "home missions," and of mak» 
ing the earliest efforts to establish the preaching of the gospel in 
every settlement in our country. It is now more than thirty years 
since this rich and populous town was first settled, and only nine 
years since the Presbyterian church was organized, and a house 



8 

erected for public worship; and this was done through the labour* 
of a missionary. The means which God has blessed here, have 
been similar to those employed in adjacent places. Prayer has 
been signally answered. While Christians have been praying, 
convicted sinners have frequently found peace in believing. Most 
of those who give evidence of reconciliation to God, are among 
that class who have reverenced the institutions of religion, and 
the greater part are among the young. Several are quite young, 
even down to ten years of age. Most of them were religiously 
educated. A few advanced in life, give satisfactory evidence of a 
saving change, which, while it shows the danger of delay, teaches 
us not to limit the grace of God, nor wholly to despair even of 
the aged. 

One instance has occurred in this town worthy of notice. It is 
the widow of the late Gen. Floyd, who was known as a Revolu- 
tionary officer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
The General was skeptical on the subject of religion. Mrs. Floyd, 
till of late, entertained similar views. For a year or two past, 
her sentiments have changed, and she has felt the importance of an 
interest in the Saviour; but it was not until the late revival that 
she has been enabled to cast herself upon the grace of a Saviour. 
And now, with a mind remarkably preserved and vigorous, though 
nearly eighty years of age, and perfectly blind, she grasps firmly 
the promises of God, and rejoices in the hope of salvation through 
the Redeemer.* 



LEE. 

The revival extended from Western into Lee. The following 
facts were communicated by the Rev. Mr. Snow, in October: — 

The revival commenced here about the first of January. Many 
young people were deeply impressed under the means of grace. 
Requests for the prayers of Christians, from those under convic- 
tion, were frequent. At a prayer meeting one evening, the Lord 
was in the midst of us of a truth. It was the most solemn meet- 
ing I ever witnessed. Ten or eleven were in deep distress. Pray* 



* Deceased since the above vras written. 



ers, which seemed to reach within the veil, were offered for them, 
and the mourning of several was turned into thanksgiving before 
the meeting closed. There are about fifty hopeful converts; ten 
only have yet united with the church. 



ROME. 

The following account of the revival of religion in Rome, is 
from the Rev. Moses Gillet, pastor of the Presbyterian church, 
dated October 30th:— 

Gospel ordinances have been statedly administered here almost 
twenty years. Several seasons of revival have been enjoyed, and 
the church increased from fourteen members to two hundred and 
twelve. The fruits of these revivals have been manifest in the 
christian deportment of the subjects. For a considerable time, 
however, previous to the late out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, we 
had been in a cold, formal state. Meetings were well attended, 
and discipline administered. Still we ought to confess with shame, 
that there was much formality in our worship, and many faithless 
prayers were offered up to Him who requires us to believe with 
the heart. 

In October, 1825, a revival took place in the town of Western, 
under the preaching of Mr. Finney, the influence of which was 
felt here. The latter part of November, the influence of the 
Spirit was visible in the conviction of sinners in the eastern part 
of the town, called Wright's Settlement. Meetings soon became 
very solemn. In about four weeks, forty might be numbered as 
hopeful converts to Christ. On the last Thursday but one in De- 
cember, a church prayer meeting was held in the meeting house,- 
which was very solemn and interesting. Great searchings of heart 
prevailed among professors. In the evening, a few individuals 
agreed to meet at a private house, half a mile out of the village. 
The house was crowded. After prayer, and reading a passage of 
scripture, a few remarks were made. One young man was so dis- 
tressed as to be unable to suppress his feelings. He was heard to 
utter broken sentences of prayer. We united in our supplications 
at the throne of grace, and the spirit of the Lord appeared to come 
down suddenly in the midst of us, and to fill the room in an as- 
2 



10 

tonishing manner. All present appeared confounded. Old profes- 
sors stood and trembled. There was a death-like stillness, or so- 
lemn awe, such as I never before witnessed. Little was said, ex- 
cept in prayer. The young man was in great distress till toward 
morning, when he found peace in believing. Great seriousness 
from this time was manifested. 

Monday evening, the last week in December, a meeting of in- 
quiry was held for convicted sinners. Mr. Finney came here that 
evening, and remained four weeks, and was a distinguished instru- 
ment in promoting the revival. The meeting of inquiry was at a 
private house, and a prayer meeting at a school house at the same 
time. The room was filled with inquiring sinners. After prayer, 
personal conversation, and a short address, we dismissed them. 
Instead of retiring, they partly fell upon each other, and gave vent 
to their feelings in sobs and groans. It was with difficulty we pre- 
vailed upon them to retire. From this time, the excitement be- 
came general in the village. Meetings were held for about five 
weeks in the church every evening, and most of the time the house 
was crowded. Sometimes there was preaching, and sometimes 
only prayers with short addresses. Meetings of inquiry were now 
held in the day time, and in some instances three hundred and up- 
wards attended. Great stillness and solemnity prevailed till the 
close, when sometimes there would be a burst of feeling in groans 
and loud weeping. We urged them to retire, telling them that 
they must look to Christ; that their impenitent tears would not 
save them. When not engaged in meeting, we visited from house 
to house. We often found sinners in great agony of mind, and 
Christians in almost Equ al agony, praying for them. Although 
constantly engaged, it seemed we had little to do, except to look 
on and see the salvation of the Lord. 

The description here given, falls far short of the reality during 
the greatest excitement. Wordly business was, to a great extent, 
suspended. Religion was the principal subject of conversation 
in our streets, stores, and even taverns. Merchants' and mechan- 
ics' shops were many of them closed in the evening, that all might 
attend meeting. Instances of hopeful conversion were most fre- 
quent about the second week in January. At two different times, 
it appeared that more than twenty were hopefully converted in 



11 

twenty-four hours. All classes of people were aiFected. Many 
who had regularly attended public worship for twenty years, and 
lived through revivals unmoved, were now made to tremble and 
bow to the cross. Four lawyers, four physicians, all the merchants 
who were not professors before, and men of the first respectability 
in the place, are hopeful converts. 

Sabbath schools have been established here nearly ten years. 
We have now evidence that the seed of the word has not been 
sown in vain. More than one hundred and thirty who have at- 
tended these schools, are hopeful subjects of renewing grace. 
Children from nine to twelve years of age, give evidence of piety, 
and their promptness in applying passages of scripture, is truly 
striking. 

During the greatest excitement, there was little open opposition* 
Scoffers were confounded : Universalists trembled. Some renounc- 
ed their sentiments, and were brought to repentance. The mo- 
ralist was stripped of his vain covering, and led to beg for mercy. 
Great is the change. " It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous 
in our eyes. " In March, one hundred and sixty-seven were re* 
ceived into the church upon profession of faith. The whole num- 
ber received, is two hundred and eighty-four. Upwards of thirty 
have united with the Methodist church, and some with the Baptists 
and Episcopalians. The number of hopeful converts cannot be 
accurately stated,* probably not far from five hundred^ some of 
them were from adjacent towns. A number who have expressed 
hopes here, have not yet united with any church. 

During the Spring and Summer past, meetings have been held 
every evening in the week. For eleven months, there has been no 
time when sinners were not under conviction, and but few weeks 
without instances of hopeful conversion. Meetings of inquiry are 
continued, and a spirit of fervent prayer still prevails. 

Some additional remarks respecting this work of God, may be 
useful. After the revival in Western commenced, it became a 
subject of conversation in Rome, and many professors and others 
attended. Christians returned, feeling that something must be 
done. Our prayer meetings became large and solemn. Directions 
were given to pray for a definite object— for the influence of the 



12 

Spirit, to revive Christians and convert sinners. There was such 
wrestling and agony in prayer as we had never before witnessed. 
Christians viewed their impenitent connexions and neighbours, as 
standing on the brink of hell, and that nothing but the mercy of 
God could save them. They prayed as though they could not be 
denied ; they seemed to take hold of the promises of God to pray- 
er, with strong faith. In little praying circles, intercessions were 
made for individuals by name. Striking answers appeared to be 
given. In the language of the prophet, it might be said, " As 
soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Chris- 
tians seemed to plead with God, as a child would plead with his 
parent; and they found him more ready to give the Holy Spirit, 
than earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. Indeed, 
the great instrument in this glorious work has been prayer. Chris- 
tians seemed to believe both the promises and threatenings of God, 
and in view of them have wrestled at the throne of grace until 
they prevailed. The word of God, in sermons, short addresses 
at prayer meetings, and in private conversation, has had a powerful 
effect in convicting sinners of their great guilt, and desert of eter- 
nal punishment. The truths brought into view, are such as have 
generally been termed the doctrines of grace. The justice, puri- 
ty, and binding nature of the divine law, with its awful penalty, 
have been exhibited with great clearness. The sins of the heart 
have been exhibited, not merely for transgressing the law, but for 
rejecting mercy, for not repenting and turning to God. Christ has 
been exhibited as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. Repentance 
and faith have been urged continually upon sinners as their imme 
diate duty; that they were without excuse for not complying with 
these requirements. Convictions have been more sudden and more 
pungent than we have witnessed in former revivals. Sinners, in 
some instances, have trembled through their whole frame, in view 
of their guilt, and the impending wrath of God; though in no in. 
stance, to my knowledge, was bodily strength wholly suspended. 
And however strange it may appear, when sinners have thus been 
filled with mental agony, and bodily, agitation, they have com. 
plained that they had no feeling, that their hearts were hardened. 
It was not necessary to teach them that there is an eternal hellj 
they felt, that without a change of heart, there could be no heaven 
/or them. Convicted sinners were exhorted to submit themselves 



13 

to God. They were told they must repent or perish; that they 
must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, or be damned; that their 
impenitent groans, and tears, and prayers, could not save thenu 
Every false dependence was torn away as soon as possible. Often 
would they say — " "Vye cannot change our own. hearts." The 
command was urged — " Make you a new heart and a new spirit^ 
for why will ye die?" No allowance was given to wait God's time. 
They were told — " Now is the accepted time; now is the day of 
salvation ;" that the longer they continued impenitent, the greater 
their guilt, the more danger of becoming hardened, of grieving 
the Spirit, and of dying without hope. 

Meetings of inquiry have apparently been a powerful means of 
bringing sinners to repentance. When hundreds have attended, 
there would be a death-like stillness, and great solemnity in almost 
every countenance. They were conversed with individually, and 
such instruction given as their case seemed to require. Often at the 
close of such meetings, they manifested such strong desire to re- 
main, that it was found necessary to exhort them to retire and 
give their hearts to God. In many instances, convicted sinners 
have, apparently, been born again while praying. "While praying 
for themselves, they would be heard pleading for others, without 
expressing any hope; though in a short time light would break in, 
and they would have peace in believing. Converts have been fer- 
vent in prayer, and many of them active instruments in the con- 
version of others. 

It will doubtless be asked, with no ordinary interest, what are 
the fruits of this revival? Three or four instances of backsliding 
have occurred. One has been suspended for intemperance. These 
cases are to be lamented, and we hope will humble the church, 
while sinners may pervert them to their own hurt. In general, 
the subjects appear as well, if not better, than in former revivals 
which I have witnessed. A marked reformation in morals is too 
apparent to be denied. The Sabbath is more strictly observed ; 
intemperance and profane swearing are checked ; more good feel- 
ing in neighbourhoods and families prevails; the church is blessed 
with peace and harmony. It may be said, in truth, these Chris- 
tians love one another. May it be our prayer, that no root of bit- 
terness may spring up to trouble us; but that we may " keep the 
unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 



14 

CAMDEN. 

The. following facts respecting the revival in Camden, were 
communicated in November, by Mr. Kellogg, who has been sup- 
plying the pulpit of the Rev. Henry Smith, pastor of the Presby- 
terian society, during his absence on a visit to New-Hampshire: — 

The revival in this place commenced about the 1st of January. 
The pastor of this church and several of the brethren visited 
Rome, to witnesss God's mighty work. They were refreshed, and 
returned impressed with the importance of a revival in this place. 
They endeavoured, by prayer and exhortation, to arouse their bre- 
thren. About this time, the Rev. Mr. Nash visited this place* 
His efforts were directed to the church, pressing them to repent 
and awake to duty. His efforts were blessed, and the church en- 
tered into a covenant to pray that God would revive his work. 
There was a season of deep heart-searching in the church. Con- 
victions were soon visible among the impenitent, and increased 
until the excitement^ became general, and a number 'were hope- 
fully converted. About the middle of February, when the in- 
fluenza became very prevalent, the attention declined, and fears 
were entertained that the work would stop. A few of the brethren 
betook themselves to the throne of grace, and wrestled- with God 
in prayer, believing. The work revived, and prevailed with 
overwhelming power. During two weeks in April, between sixty 
and seventy were hopefully converted. After this the work declin- 
ed in power; but has continued through the summer, up to the pre- 
sent time. The converts, generally, appear to be steadfast, grow- 
ing in knowledge and grace. 

The means which were most blessed of God, were the faithful 
preaching of the word — the naked truth — not only in the desk, 
but from house to house. In visiting, the pastor was assisted by 
many of the brethren. The greatest plainness of speech was used 
in conversing with individuals. These means were used in hum- 
ble dependence on the Spirit of God, manifested in fervent pray- 
er for his blessing. Christians prayed as they had never done before, 
They were distressed and weighed down with agonizing pains, 
especially in the closet, pleading the promises of God — believing 
them. Answers to prayer were manifest. Numbers were convert- 
ed } while prayer was offered up for them individually. Young 



15 % 

converts engaged with zeal in the work, and partook of the same 
spirit of prayer. About one hundred and fifty have united with 
the Presbyterian church. A number have united with the 
Methodists. Many give evidence of a saving change, who hate 
not yet united with any church; and many strangers and visitors 
from abroad were hopefully the subjects of renewing grace. 



BOONVILLE. 

In this place the people have not been able to support a minis- 
ter, without aid from missionary societies. The population is 
scattered, and the people are much divided in religious sentiment; 
and many have cared for none of these things. The following 
account of the late revival is an abstract of a communication from 
the Rev. Ira Manly, who has supplied the Presbyterian church 
in that place, for a few years past: 

At a preparatory lecture in December of last year, parent* 
were requested to bring with them their baptized children. The 
text selected for the occasion was — "Come thou and all thy 
house into the ark." An unusual degree of feeling and solemni- 
ty was manifested. Not long after this, I went to visit a family, 
in which three of the members were dangerously sick. I was 
not permitted to see the sick and converse with them. Return- 
ing home, I reflected that it would be wise to exhort those who 
were well, and whom it could not injure. I accordingly commenced 
a course of visiting and exhortation, which I continued through the 
winter. About this time, also, I received an account of the revi- 
val in Rome, from two of our young men, who had been there on a 
visit, and had become hopeful subjects of grace. Their warmth and 
zeal were a blessing to me. The next evening, in meeting, I gave 
an account of the revival in Rome. It was attended with a divine 
impulse. From that time our meetings increased, till they were full 
to overflowing. — Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and Episcopa- 
lians rushed together, and seemed to participate of the same spirit' 
We endeavoured to avoid exciting any party feeling. Soan after 
the revival commenced, a season for fasting and prayer was ap 
pointed, and measures were adopted to bring all the professors of 
religion to engage in the work. The preaching was plain and 



16 

pointed. Prayers were much more fervent than usual. Ministers 
from abroad preached with much engagedness. Meetings of in- 
quiry were attended with great interest. Members of the church 
agreed to pray three times daily for the out-pouring of the Spirit. ' 
Family visits were made. A young man from Hamilton College 
gave us considerable aid, in exhortation, prayer and visiting. 
Some other young men also were useful. Conversions became 
frequent. This state of things continued with some variation till 
April. Some party feelings began to appear, and the Spirit seem- 
ed in a great degree to withdraw. Sixty-seven have been added 
to the Presbyterian church. Several have united with the Metho- 
dists, and some with the Baptists. The whole number of converts 
is probably towards one hundred. The converts, with few excep- 
tions, are attentive to the means of grace. Many of them are 
much engaged in prayer, and most are willing, when called upon, 
to take part in this duty. In the midst of means, God has shown 
us that the work is his, lest any man should boast. It is manifest, 
however, that if our churches would enjoy his special presence, 
they must put away sin, and walk in the way of his command- 
ments. Among the fruits of the revival are two flourishing Sab- 
bath schools, a bible class, and a tract society. 



WHITESTOWN. 

There are two Presbyterian societies in this town, one in the 
village of Whitesborough, and the other in the village of New 
Hartford. 

Whitesborough. 

The following facts were furnished by the Rev. John Frost, in 
November: — 

It is thirteen years last March, since I was ordained over the 
Presbyterian church in this place. Previously to this, the mem- 
bers here and at Utica composed one church, and their pastor, 
Rev. James Carnahan, preached alternately at each place. 
"When the church was divided, there were about fifty members 
living here. Most were females. There were only four male 
members in the village. The society was feeble. There was a 



17 

respectable Baptist soiiety in the place. No general revival had 
ever occurred. During the first four years of my ministry, there 
was a general work of grace, which brought into the church eighty- 
three members. The two succeeding years, there was no special 
seriousness. In 1819 and 1821, greater revivals occurred than any 
before. As the fruits of these, one hundred and eleven united 
with the Presbyterian church, and many with the Baptish church. 
During the three succeeding years, scarcely an instance of con- 
version occurred. In the latter part of December, 1824, the day 
preparatory to the communion was spent in fasting and prayer, and 
religious conference. The prominent sins of the church were 
drawn up, and formally read and confessed by the whole body. 
Promises also were made with respect to their conduct the suc- 
ceeding year, such as the following : — " We will make greater ef- 
forts to progress in personal holiness. We will converse with our 
brethren respecting their faults, instead of talking about them to 
others. As we have opportunity, we will converse with our impe- 
nitent friends, and others over whom we may hope to have influ- 
ence, upon religion." On the following Sabbath, the first in Jan- 
uary, 1825, the church rose in the midst of the congregation, and 
after an address to them, renewed their covenant with God and 
each other. A deep solemnity pervaded both the church and con- 
gregation. On that day sinners were awakened. A revival suc- 
ceeded, which continued till the early part of summer. As the 
fruits of this revival, about forty united with the Presbyterian 
church, and a number with the Baptises and Methodists. 

The greater part of the sulffects of these revivals, have been 
among the younger classes of society. As few cases of discipline 
have occurred among them in proportion to the number, as among 
the old members of the church who were professors when I came. 
About half the cases that have occurred among both, have arisen 
from intemperance), and from my own experience and observation, 
my impression is, that intemperance is one of the greatest sins with 
which our church and nation is cursed, and a fruitful source of 
most of the crimes and immoralities which abound in our land. 

In the latter part of the summer, four bible classes were esta- 
blished. The day preparatory to the communion on the first Sab° 
bath of the present year, was spent in fasting and prayer, and the 
same promises renewed which were made the preceding year, 



18 



About this time, the revival in Rome Excited a deep interest 
here. Some of the members visited that place, and returned with 
increased feeling. It had often been a subject of lamentation in 
conversation, that there were so many heads of families among us 
who had remained unmoved in all former revivals; and Christians 
began now to be distressed for such, and the conversion of heads 
of families became the burden of their prayers. The fact, that 
many at Rome, of the same description, were the subjects of grace, 
strengthened their hope. Prayer meetings in circles, composed of 
males and females, at different places, became frequent, and heads of 
families were pray edj or individu ally. Several weeks elapsed be- 
fore any special seriousness was visible in the village. The church 
continued to wrestle with an earnestness and an agony greater 
than I had ever witnessed before. Some heads of families were 
in trouble; and such is the fact, whatever may be the cause, that 
conversions in the village commenced among heads of families. 
The latter part of February, the attention began to extend, and m 
March, was more powerful than any thing I had witnessed here 
before. Many old professors were convicted, and placing little 
dependence on past experience, were anxious for present evidence 
of repentance and reconciliation to God, through the Redeemer. 
Considerable murmuring, and some open opposition were now mani- 
fested. Misrepresentations and falsehoods were circulated. A 
lying spirit seemed to possess some who heretofore were apparent- 
ly free from it. Some were angry that individuals were the subjects 
of prayer; some affected to sneer and laugh about the serious and 
the converted; some said the devil had got into the people, and 
others, that ministers and churches were becoming crazy. In this 
state of things, the following words were the subjects of discourse 
on the Sabbath— " Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me.'" 
" Wherefore do the wicked contemn God?" 

The following week was the most interesting and solemn this 
village ever witnessed. Some of the most intelligent and respect- 
able people in the place, were convicted of sin.- Silence reigned. 
No opposition was heard. Christians trembled. They felt that 
God was here, and that the village was awed to silence, and pros- 
trated before the majesty of his character, and his truth set home 
by his own power. Never did I feel my own nothingness so sensi- 
bly. I felt as though all I could do was to urge Christians to pray, 



19 

that breath might enter these slain. I felt at the same time, as 
though we were all unworthy to be permitted to pray for such a 
blessing. It seemed as though a still small voice said to the 
church — " Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God ; be it 
known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways." 
Many interesting cases ot conversion now occurred, at which the 
church wept and angels rejoiced. 

When the business of Spring became pressing, the attention to 
religion in some measure declined ; but convictions and conver- 
sions continued to occur through the summer. During the sum- 
mer, instead of the little circles of prayer in the evening, profes- 
sors met at five o'clock in the morning, at the ringing of the village 
bell. Most of those who have united with my church, have been 
religiously educated, either in families, Sabbath schools, or bible 
classes, and are among the most respectable inhabitants. One 
hundred and sixteen have, upon examination, united with the 
Presbyterian church ; forty -five of them are heads of families. 
About one hundred have united with the Methodists, seventy-eight 
with the Baptists, and three or four with the Episcopalians. A 
number of those, however, who have united with the Methodists 
and Baptists, live in the limits of Mr. Coe's society. The whole 
number who have indulged hope, is not far from three hundred. 
Several, and especially among the young, have not united. A 
number who visited the place from abroad, became subjects. One 
instance only of backsliding has occurred, among those who have 
united with our church. 

The means which have been blessed, were similar generally to 
those mentioned in other places. Particular care has been taken 
to have all our meetings closed at a seasonable hour. We have 
had no contention with other denominations. Prayers were offer- 
ed that none who professed to be the disciples of Christy might be 
left to do any thing to hinder the work. A more general co-opera- 
tion in the church has prevailed than in former revivals ; and it is 
believed that to this fact it is owing, in a measure, that the revival 
has been more extensive than formerly. AU our meetings have 
been orderly and solemn. Converts have manifested an unusual 
spirit of prayer, and a disposition to converse with others, |and 
have thus done much to promote the revival. The greatest warmth 



20 

of feeling, in most cases, has been manifested by the most intelli- 
gent and well informed. The revival has produced a moral change 
in the aspect of society, visible to all. The number who attend 
public worship in the church, is greatly increased. Much har- 
mony prevails in the church and society. A bible class has been 
established, which is attended by the elders and members of the 
church, and which promises to be highly useful. There are three 
cotton factories in the neighbourhood, with which perhaps five hun- 
dred people are connected. The superintendents of these esta- 
blishments, are subjects of the revival, and manifest a laudable 
zeal to preserve them from immoralities, and to furnish the chil- 
dren with the means of religious instruction. Many connected 
with these factories, give evidence of repentance. Not only meet- 
ings were held in the evening for their benefit; but, during the 
greatest excitement, the factories were stopped in the daytime for 
half an hour, when men, women and children assembled without 
any change of dress in one room, many of them in tears, and were 
there addressed and conversed with personally, and then knelt in 
prayer around the machinery. The sight was affecting, and will 
never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. 

I feel grateful, I trust, and my church also, to all those brethren 
who have given me assistance, especially to the Rev. Messrs. Eells 
and Hotchkiss, who were here a few weeks in the midst of the re- 
vival. We lamented that Mr. Finney could not have spent a little 
time with'us; but his labours were needed elsewhere. The few 
lectures he preached while at Utica, were useful. The best means, 
however, are unavailing, unless a church are looking to God in 
humble prayer for help. When my own health was wholly inade- 
quate to the labour that appeared necessary, and when the church 
was most anxious for assistance, it seemed as though God constrain- 
ed them to cast their despairing eyes to him alone; and he, by the 
conversion of some individual, and his consequent exertions, or m 
some other unforeseen way, supplied the deficiency needed. I 
mention this, because I never before have been so sensibly impress- 
ed with the special providence of God in favour of his people in 
distress ; and never .before have I so firmly believed, that if a 
church, however weak, will go forward and do what they can, 
trusting in God for help, that he will give them the aid they need, 
and in a manner that will, while it humbles, fill them with admira- 
tion at his own transcendant wisdom and condescending grace. 



2L 

While we are bound to be grateful to the Father of all mercies, 
for the happy moral change which he has effected here by his grace, 
we have much cause for humiliation, prayer, and persevering exer- 
tions. Feeble has been the faith of the most faithful, and few and 
sluggish their exertions, compared with what are called for by the 
motives which the gospel presents. Many still remain among us 
who live as though this world were their home, and " death an 
eternal sleep." The blessings of Providence, jas well as of grace, 
are still abused, and the intoxicating bowl is preferred to the cup 
of salvation. The hopes of many are, that the church will soon 
slumber again, and not disturb them in their pleasures and pursuits 
by her prayers and her entreaties. May the prayer of the church 
be—" Grant not, Lord, the desires of the wicked." 

New Hartford. 
The following account is from the Rev. Noah Coe:— 

In the congregation of New Hartford, the revival commenced 
the latter part of February, and continued about three months. 
The hopeful subjects of regeneration, are supposed to be about one 
hundred. Fifty-six have been received into the Presbyterian 
church, by examination, since the 1st of May last, most of whom 
have hopefully experienced religion during this revival. A few 
have united themselves with other denominations. About two 
weeks before the revival commenced, the pastor of the church, with 
an elder, spent two days at Rome, and on their return, they gave 
an account of the work of divine grace in that village, which was 
attended with a good effect. On two occasions, meetings of the 
church were held, and men and women were called upon to speak, 
if they had any thing to say, by way of confession, for their cri- 
minal departure from God, and in relation to their present feelings 
for the salvation of souls. These meetings, it is thought, were 
highly useful in promoting the work. The labours of Mr. Finney 
and Mr. Nash, the former of whom preached six sermons, and at- 
tended the same number of meetings of inquiry, were greatly 
blessed; as in these meetings of inquiry, it was not uncommon for 
two or three in every meeting to submit their hearts to Christ 
Visiting from house to house, where there were convicted sinners, 
as often as every other day, was a means of doing good. Prayer 
meetings were very frequent, and for a time, there were many ob- 



22 

vious answers given to fervent, humble, believing prayer. In no 
former revival, have the subjects appeared, for so long a time after 
their hopeful conversion, in general, to possess so much of the 
spirit of religion; and never was the Presbyterian congregation on 
the Sabbath, so solemn and so interesting, as from the commence- 
ment of the revival down to the present time. The enemies of 
religion, (for it is not to be concealed that there are in this place 
Universalists, and others of kindred sentiments) have manifested 
very great oppositton to this revival, in repeatedly stoning the build- 
ings where religious meetings were held, in the time of religious 
worship; in firing guns around the meeting-house during the hour of 
preaching; in suspending images fronvttime to time, with papers 
attached to them, containing violent denunciations against those 
who were the most prominent instruments in carrying on the revi- 
val, and in one instance sending a constable to bring before a jus- 
tice a young man who had been in the place but a few days, un- 
der the pretext that he was a vagrant, without any visible means 
of support. The work of God, however, amidst most violent op- 
position, went forward, and the effects most clearly prove that it 
was not the work of man, but the work of God, and to him be all 
the glory. 

Perhaps in no place in the county, in proportion to the number 
of inhabitants, has the revival been more powerful than at the 
Whitestown Factory, situated between Whitesborough and New 
Hartford. The revival commenced at this place about the first of 
February, and for a number of weeks continued peculiarly inte- 
resting; and indeed, until about three months since, there have, 
from time to time, been hopeful instances of conversion. About 
fifty persons appear to have experienced religion during this revi* 
val, most of whom have united themselves with the Methodist 
church, which has since been organized near by, at what is called 
« the York Mills," and which now consists of more than one hun- 
dred members. The subjects of this work, for the most part, give 
good evidence of piety, and appear to progress in holiness. At 
the commencement of the revival, and for a long time afterwards, 
a few individuals were possessed with a spirit of fervent, agoniz- 
ing prayer, which appears to have called down blessings upon that 
people. At that place, there are very many hopefully pious and 
devoted young persons, who we trust will continue firm and steads 
fast in the practice of godliness. 



23 

UTICA. 

The following account is from the Rev. Mr. Aikin, pastor of the 
first Presbyterian church, and was received in November: — 

The revival in Utica commenced about the first of last January, 
For several weeks previous, however, there had been a movement 
upon the minds of the people somewhat uncommon, that could be 
seen on the Sabbath, and on other days of the week, in the in- 
crease of numbers who attended meetings, and in their unusuaj 
solemnity. To this silent preparation for the Lord's appearance, 
soon a new impulse was given, by the daily reports of what was 
doing at Rome. Christians who visited that place, returned with 
various feelings. Some were confounded, and knew not what to 
say; some without hope, and in deep distress for themselves; 
others weeping over the state of the church at home, and anxious 
that something should be done. I resolved to call upon the mem- 
bers of the church, and either by myself, or by the elders, most of 
the members were visited, and after a short and pointed conversa- 
tion, the visit, if practicable, was closed with prayer, not general, 
but adapted to the individual or families conversed with. It now 
became a time of heart-searching in the church. Almost daily, 
persons who had long been professors, and who had maintained a 
respectable standing in the church, gave up their hopes, satisfied 
apparently that they had been deceived. Soon, numbers among 
the impenitent were awakened, but most of them lingered along 
without obtaining relief. Still, there was but little of the spirit 
of prayer in Zion — but little of the power of supplication which 
prevails. Christians, instead of placing their confidence in God, 
were looking to arms of flesh; instead of having that faith which 
creates expectation of a blessing, they were merely hoping it might 
come. 

This state of things continued till about the first of February, 
when the Rev. Mr. Finney came to Utica, where, as in other places, 
his plain and pungent and faithful preaching, was attended with evi- 
dent and wonderful success. Christians had been told of their de- 
partures from God, their backslidings in heart, their lukewarmness, 
their love of the world and conformity to it, and of the necessity 
of a broken spirit, of deep and thorough repentance, before they 
could reasonably expect a general revival of religion. These so- 



24 

iemn truths were pressed again and again, and along with them the 
necessity of the influence of the Holy Spirit to rouse them from 
their slumbers. This influence they were urged to seek, as a bless- 
ing which God has promised, and will certainly give to those who 
seek it with faith. An humble and fervent spirit of prayer, to a 
considerable extent, gradually increased; and as it increased, con- 
victions and conversions took place among the impenitent. It was 
not long before the work became powerful; places of worship were 
thronged, and the stillness of the sepulchre reigned, broken occa- 
sionally by a deep sigh from some heart that was writhing under 
the condemning influence of divine truth. Instead of noise and 
confusion, the meetings were solemn, and sometimes awfully so, 
by the presence of God, which made sinners "afraid," and Christ- 
ians humble and still. True, there has been noise; there has been 
*' no small stir about these things;" but it has been on the other 
side — among the enemies of the revival, as it was in the days of 
the Apostle. 

The general features of this revival are the same as have always 
marked every genuine out-pouring of the Spirit, since the apostolic 
age, I shall, therefore, not repeat them ; but would here observe, that 
like some of the former revivals in Utica, this one has been con- 
fined to no particular class in community. Its sweet and saving 
influence has fallen upon the rich and the poor, the ignorant and 
the learned, and moulded into its own lovely image, as we humbly 
trust, the proud moralist and the polluted debauchee. It has made 
"new creatures" of gamblers and drunkards, and swearers and 
Sabbath-breakers, and brought the self-righteous pharisee, the de- 
luded skeptic, deist, and universalist, to abandon their dreams of 
happiness and heaven, without a holy heart, and to fly for cleans- 
ing to the blood of the Lamb. 

The probable number of converts in Utica, is about five hun- 
dred. The number of hopeful converts, in a population like this, 
it is not easy definitely to ascertain. Not far from sixty persons, 
some of whom were travellers, who " turned in to tarry but for a 
night," or day, or week; others belonging to the towns around, ex" 
perienced, as we trust, the grace of God in this village. More 
than a hundred, the subjects of the revival, have united with the 
first Presbyterian church; numbers with the Methodists and Bap- 



25 

tists; and how many with the second Presbyterian and Welch 
congregational churches, their pastors will tell in tfcis report. Be- 
sides these, not less than fifty adults, belonging to the first Pres- 
byterian Society, are entertaining hopes, who, for various reasons, 
still remain without the pale of the church; and to these, we may 
add many children, from seven to thirteen years of age, whom, 
although they give evidence of piety, the session have thought best 
for a time to catechise and instruct, until their age and knowledge 
and experience with the world, shall render it more safe to receive 
them. Accordingly, a class for this purpose has been already or- 
ganized; nor has this good work of the Lord ceased. The spirit 
of prayer still continues, though in a less degree, and consequent- 
ly conversions are less frequent than they were last winter. Scarce- 
ly a week has passed during the last summer, when one or more 
has not been brought into the kingdom of Christ. For the last six 
weeks, twenty have hopefully experienced the grace of God. 

Whether all the converts are what they profess to be, the great 
day of judgment must determine. It would be strange, if among 
so many, some are not deceived. As yet, however, there has not 
been a single instance, of apostacy among adults, that has come to 
my knowledge; and, judging from the fruits, the only safe crite- 
rion, now, after the lapse of eight months, never did the subjects 
of a revival appear better. But observation, as well as the word 
of God, has taught me to expect tares among the wheat ; and if* 
in the end, there should be many of the former, it will be no ar- 
gument that this revival is not the work of God. Indeed, we do 
feel and know that the Lord hath done it. True, he has wrought 
through the instrumentality of men, but the power was his, and to 
him be the glory. Besides Mr. Finney, who has been signally own- 
ed and blessed, important services have been rendered by the Rev. 
D. Nash, Mr. N. Smith, and other brethren in the ministry, who 
are remembered with gratitude both by the church and their pastor. 

With regard to the means used in this revival, I should say no- 
thing, were it not for the gross misrepresentations that have gone 
abroad. They are substantially the same as were employed by 
W^hitfield, Edwards, Brainard, and by some still living, whose 
praise is in all the churches. The grand mean, and that into 
which all others are resolved, has-been the w$rd of God; the doc- 
4 



26 

trines of salvation; tne depravity of the heart, consisting not 
merely in the negative want of love to God, but in positive hatred 
to him; the law ot God, its extent, purity, perfection, and binding 
influence; the sovereignty of God, illustrated and enforced, not so 
much by abstract reasoning, as by matters of fact; the nature and 
necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and justification by 
faith alone Tnese truths have been preached constantly^ both in 
the pulpit and out of t; nor have we failed to urge sinners to re* 
pent and submit to Jesus Christ, and that immediately \ as the only 
condition of forgiveness, warning them at the same time, that so 
long as they refused to comply, all their tears, and prayers, and ef- 
forts were ineffectual. 

Believing it to be duty to use every lawful and proper measure 
to. render effectual divine truth, we have, and we trust in humble 
dependence on God, visited from house to house, conversed freely 
with individuals, and fearlessly declared the truths in the street, 
in the grocery, the counting-room, and private dwelling. We have 
also had various small circles for prayer, as well as stated and pub- 
lic prayer-meetings; and in the former, females, in some cases, 
though more seldom than we could wish, have taken a part. The 
instruction administered in Sabbath schools, has been signally 
blessed, both to the teachers and taught. At the commencement 
of the revival, there was a bible class, consisting of forty-two 
young persons, under the sole direction of the elders of the church. 
Most of these are indulging hopes of eternal life. Their number 
has now increased to nearly one hundred, and the Lord is 
still blessing his word to the salvation of their souls. The bible is 
to them a precious book; nor to them alone. Never, in the same 
space of time, I am confident, was it so much read in Utica, as it 
has been for twelve months past. Besides these means, discipline, 
meetings of inquiry, days of fasting and prayer, and conference 
meetings for the church, have been very useful. 

Nor is it true, that all, for this space of time, has been division 
and dissension in our village. Never was so large a church more 
happily united than we have been, during this revival; and it is so 
still. I verily believe there is here the " unity of the spirit in the 
bond of peace." Some few individuals may have differed from 
their brethren, with regard to the propriety of some measures; but 



27 

I have seen none who were blind to the mighty hand of God, tha^ 
was bowing down rebel sinners on every side, and none so harden- 
ed in unbelief, as not to adore and rejoice in it. The society, also, 
is evidently strengthened and built up ; and we pray God to send 
down his spirit, and bring in those who are left, that all may "wor- 
ship him in spirit and in truth." 



TRENTON. 

The following facts respecting the revival in this place, were 
furnished by the Rev. Oliver Wetmore, about the 1st of October: 

It is nearly two years since I commenced my labours in the 
Presbyterian society in the village of Trenton. I found the socie- 
ty in a very low and deranged state. Nothing special occurred 
until December last. Several professors, before this, began to 
mourn over their stupidity, and to pray for themselves and the 
church 5 and two places for special prayer for the out-pouring of the 
Spirit, were established, one in the village, and the other in a dif- 
ferent part of the society. The day appointed in December, by 
the synod, for fasting and prayer, was kept with great solemnity. 
Many prayers were previously offered that it might be blessed. 
Nearly all the members of the church attended. A more solemn 
meeting I never witnessed. Prayers, exhortations, and confessions 
were made. The Lord was with us. Deep contrition was visible, 
.The members confessed their long neglected duties to God, and to 
one another. Several gave up their hopes, and were as much dis- 
tressed for some time as convicted sinners. Indeed, great search- 
ings of heart continued in the church during the whole winter and 
spring. Soon after the day of fasting and prayer, some instances 
of conviction occurred ; but there were few hopeful conversions 
until March, when the work assumed a very interesting character* 
Conversions through March and April, were frequent. Convictions 
in most cases were deep, and of short continuance, though in some 
cases from two to four weeks. In most instances, the subjects gave 
clear evidence of conversion, and remain steadfast. 

Great solemnity, and the utmost order have prevailed in our 
meetings. We have occasionally heard the involuntary sigh and 
groan; but nothing has appeared like fanaticism or enthusiasm* 



28 

In two cases only, has there been any disturbance. One was 
caused by a man who was intoxicated, and. who was removed from 
the house by the civil authority. The other was by a person evi- 
dently under conviction, and whose feelings were excited in conse- 
quence of prayers having been offered up for him by a visiting bro- 
ther the preceding evening. He soon manifested contrition, and 
gave evidence of submission to God. 

The means have been prayer and the preaching of the gospel. 
The truths of God's word, which have been most inculcated, are 
the holy sovereignty of God; the extent and spirituality of the di- 
vine law, with its penalty; the character of Christ, as " God mani- 
fest in the flesh;" the atonement, total depravity of the heart, and 
the duty of immediate repentance and reconciliation to God; 
pointing out the great guilt of sinners in making excuses, that they 
cannot repent, and cannot love God, and would if they could. 
The conscience was pressed with all the seriousness and solemnity 
of which the speakers were capable. Meetings of inquiry were 
very useful. Christians, in these prayer meetings, have prayed 
for particular individuals, and remarkable instances of conversion 
have apparently occurred in answer to such prayers. Our prayer 
meetings have been one of the greatest means of the conversion of 
souls, especially those in which brothers and sisters have prayed 
together. If God has honoured any meetings among us, it has 
been these. If I have ever been made humble, and to feel my own 
littleness, it has been at such meetings. One of our stations for 
prayer-meetings, at the house of an elder, about a mile and a hajf 
from the village, has been signally blessed. This was the spiri- 
tual birth-place of many precious and immortal souls. Here, 
Christians have been compelled to remain, in some instances, ago- 
nizing in prayer, till almost the breaking of day, for individuals 
who could not be prevailed upon to depart, until their peace was 
made with God. From this place, the revival extended into the 
congregation under the care of brother Goodell. This " Bethel" 
will never be forgotten by those who there prayed and wrestled as 
did Jacob. 

In the latter part of summer, a bible class was established in 
the village, which consisted principally of young females. In this 
class, consisting of eighteen, the revival among the impenitent be- 



29 

gan. Fifteen of these, we trust, have become pious. One was a 
professor. The other two were somewhat serious; but being un- 
der the influence of Unitarian friends, they neglected to attend the 
meetings of the class, and have reverted to their former state. 
Upwards of one hundred are hopefully converted. The number i 
great, considering the smallness of the congregation, compared 
with most of those which have shared in the same blessing. Forty- 
four have been admitted into the church, and we expect soon t« 
receive as many more. Some have been added to the Methodist 
and Baptist churches, but the number I do not know. 

The opposition to the revival has been great; but not from those 
attached to our congregation. Deists, Universalists, and many of 
the Unitarians, have endeavoured to bring the revival into disre- 
pute. False reports have been circulated ; and this spirit in some 
degree still prevails. No unfavourable impression, however, has 
been made upon the Presbyterian congregation. 

The influence of the revival upon our congregation, is visible in 
the increased numbers, the decent deportment, and the solemn at- 
tention of those who attend upon the worship of God on the Sab- 
bath. On the whole, we have witnessed a wonderful display of di- 
vine grace in the conversion of sinners. Great has been our joy, 
and to God be all the glory. 

The labours of the Rev. N. Smith, have been a great relief to 
me, and very useful. 



I. 

Remarks on the character of this Revival of Religion, 



1. From the preceding accounts, we are constrained to acknow- 
ledge that God has made a rich and wonderful display of his grace 
amongst us during the past year, in the conversion of sinners, and 
the quickening of his children. More than three thousand are in- 
dulging hope that they have become reconciled to God through the 
Redeemer. About half this number have already united with the 
Presbyterian and Congregational churches, and a large portion of 
the remainder with the Baptist and Methodist churches. Never 
before have the churches in this region been blessed with so great a 
shower of divine grace. 

The history of the church in every age, forbids the expectation 
that all this number possess that repentance and faith, which is unto 
salvation. In the little family of Jesus, there was a Judas. We 
may reasonably hope that the proportion of deceivers and deceiv- 
ed, is not greater among those who are numbered as converts in 
this revival; and if eleven-twelfths of this number are adopted into 
the family of the sons of God, and are heirs to the heavenly inhe- 
ritance, great, unspeakably great, is the blessing, and great should 
be the joy, and loud the praise, of those who love and pray for the 
prosperity of Zion. 

But while we are bound to give thanks to God for his distin- 
guishing mercy, we have cause to mourn over our unfaithfulness as 
ministers and churches, and to weep over the multitudes who still 
remain " dead in trespasses and in sins." How many of these 
may have been left, on account of the unfaithfulness of ministers, 
and elders, and private members of our churches ? Had every 
minister been as self-denying and devoted as the nature of his of- 



31 

flee requires ; had all our elders, and the members of our churches, 
been as united, as bold, and as active, as becomes the soldiers of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, many more would doubtless have been 
brought to the knowledge and acknowledgment of the truth. How 
often may the Spirit have been grieved by those who professed to 
desire and pray for his influence ? The judgment day may disclose 
facts, which, could they now be known, would furnish matter to 
us all for deep repentance and humiliation before God. Let every 
minister, elder, and private professor, inquire what more he could 
have done for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, and let 
him confess his offences, beg for pardon, through the blood of that 
Saviour who died for sinners, and dedicate himself anew to his 
service. 

2. This revival has continued longer, particularly in some of our 
societies, than has been usual in former revivals. It is now more 
than a year since it commenced in some places, where it still con- 
tinues; and in most of our churches, an unusual spirit of prayer 
still prevails, and instances of conviction and conversion continue 
to occur. 

3. Considering the number of converts, and the time that has 
elapsed since the revival commenced, the instances of backsliding 
have been fewer than usual. From the preceding narrative, it ap- 
pears that, with few exceptions, those who haveindulged hope, are 
steadfast, and growing in knowledge and grace. By their fruits 
in future life, their real character must be tested. 

4. In this revival, there has been less appearance of mere sym- 
pathy and excitement of the passions, unaccompanied with convic- 
tion of sin, than usual. Most of the feeling, and the strongest 
feeling, which sinners have manifested, has arisen from the lashes 
of an accusing conscience. So far as this characteristic of the re- 
vival is owing to means, we believe it has been to the fact, that 
Christians have prayed much for the convicting and sanctifying in- 
fluence of the Spirit, and that ministers have constantly pressed 
the consciences of sinners with those truths which show them their 
guilt, and their immediate duty to repent and believe. The whole 
man has been addressed — his understanding, his conscience, and 
his affections. The general strain of preaching has been far from 
what is usually denominated declamatory; and it has been equally 



32 

for from what is styled by the gay, the flippant, and the superficial 
part of community, oratorical and popular. There is a style of 
preaching, under which such hearers will/ee/ strongly, and love to 
feel; and under which they may even weep, as they would over a fa- 
vourite novel 5 and from which they will retire, delighted with the 
powers of the speaker, and the beauties of his composition. But 
such is not the preaching, under which sinners have been pricked 
in their hearts, and led to cry out — "Men and brethren, what 
shall we do ?" 

5. This revival has been characterized by a remarkable spirit of 
prayer. Often has it been said — " Christians pray as they have 
never prayed before." Many have been in deep distress, and felt 
what it was to travail in bi~th for souls. With this burden press- 
ing upon their hearts, they have cried to God for help, feeling they 
could not let him go without a blessing; and where Christians have- 
been united and persevering in their supplications, astonishing, 
and in some instances, overwhelming influences of the Spirit have 
been witnessed. So great, and so general has been the excite- 
ment, that worldly business was in a considerable degree suspend- 
ed, and religion was the common topic of conversation in all com- 
panies and in all places. 

6. Unusual strength of faith in the promises and threatenings of 
God, has been manifested in many of our churches. Christians 
have not only assented to the testimony of God, that there is a 
heaven and a hell, but they have seemed, in many instances, to 
have such a spiritual perception of these amazing truths, and others 
connected with them, that they have rejoiced "with trembling." 
With the eye of faith open upon the eternal world, they have laid 
hold of the arm of the Lord, with a grasp which seemed to say—- 
It is a case of life and death with our friends and neighbours; we 
cannot be denied. They have notbeen denied. The ear of the 
Lord was " open unto their prayer," and " his arm brought sal- 
vation." 

7. An unusual spirit of prayer has prevailed among converts, 
and they have manifested a disposition to converse with their 
friends and others on the subject of religion. It has often been re- 
marked of them, that they were born praying. Many of them ap- 
pear to have the strength of spiritual manhood, and promise to be 
among the brightest ornaments of our churches. 



33 

8. This revival has extended to all classes of society. Some 
have been born again in old age. Many, very young, have given 
satisfactory evidence of piety, especially among those who have 
been trained in religious families, and in our Sabbath schools. 
Many men of wealth, and learning, and talents, have been con- 
verted, and become like little children. Many, who in common 
parlance were moral men, have seen that their morality was de- 
void of that holiness of heart, "without which no man shall see 
the Lord," and have cried, " God be merciful to me a sinner." 
Many, who had embraced Universalism and other errors, have fled 
from their refuges of lies to lay hold of the hope set before them 
in the gospel. These facts should encourage ministers and church- 
es to pray and labour for the salvation of all men, the high and the 
low, the rich and the poor, the old and the young, the moral and 
the profane, animated with the thought that " he that converteth a 
sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and 
hide a multitude of sins." 

9. Great heart-searchings among professors, have characterized 
this revival. This we have seen in former revivals, but never be- 
fore to so great an extent. It has been very common to hear pro- 
fessors say, with a solemn, downcast countenance, "I have no re- 
ligion." They have had severe seasons of conviction. Some 
probably have, for the first time, been brought to repentance. 
Most, however, have, after a short time, given evidence of an in- 
creased devotion to God ; and such have been eminently useful in 
promoting the work. Those ministers, also, in whose societies the 
revival has been powerful, have been led to close self-examination, 
and been apparently deeply humbled for past unfaithfulness. 

10. Converts, especially during the greatest excitement, have 
manifested more joy and stronger hopes, than in any preceding re- 
vivals among us. Strong hopes have been considered by many, an 
unfavourable indication. Whether this be a correct opinion, we 
shall not undertake to determine. But it is worthy of considera- 
tion, whether the faint hopes of converts may not arise from not 
being earnestly pressed with truths adapted to their case, and from 
the want of more spiritual strength in the church, in wrestling 
with God in prayer for their deliverance from sin, rather than from 
deep humility, and a just sense of the danger of deception, 

5 



34 

11. Much opposition has been made to this revival. This ap- 
pears from the preceding accounts. But the half is not told, and 
for the honour of the county, we think, ought not to be told. 
False reports have been circulated. Gross misrepresentations have 
been made of the preaching, and other means which have been 
employed to promote the work. Prejudices have been thus excit- 
ed in the minds of some, who are doubtless the friends of religion, 
but who have not been in circumstances favourable to judge for 
themselves. It is not to be expected, that men actuated by the 
best motives, and pursuing with hallowed zeal the most noble ob- 
jects, should act with perfect wisdom and discretion. But from 
the preceding accounts, and from personal observation, the com- 
mittee feel warranted in saying, that ministers and churches have 
exhibited as much sound wisdom and discretion, as has ever been 
exhibited in any revival of which they have any knowledge. Yea, 
we believe that there has been an unusual spirit of prayer to God, 
for that wisdom which is profitable to direct. 

It would savour of weakness and spiritual pride in our churches, 
to justify every thing which has been said and done, in public and 
in private, by the friends of the revival. But we believe it a duty 
we owe to the cause of truth, to say, that most of the opposition 
has been excited by that preaching, and those means, which have 
met the approbation of the great Head of the Church. Indiscrej 
tions, real or apparent, are the only things which have given most 
of the opposers any pleasure. Their consciences, could they speak, 
would tell the world, that ninety-nine hundredths of all the stir 
they have made, has originated from a naked exhibition of gospel 
truth, and from the agonizing prayers and faithful exertions of the 
people of God for the salvation of their fellow men. 

It is not the wish of the committee to dwell upon this opposition. 
Care has been taken to guard the churches from talking much 
about the opposition, and allowing their personal feelings to be- 
come enlisted by the falsehood and abuse of opposers. But we 
have said thus much, to give the Christian public what we verily 
believe a just representation of this outcry, and to prevent any 
from being alarmed at opposition to revivals, and neglecting to use 
means which God blesses in promoting them. We believe, from 
the history of the church, and facts that have occurred in this re~ 



35 

vival strengthen the belief, that the elements of opposition to a re - 
vival of " pure and undefined religion," exist in the most enlight- 
ened and moral districts of Christendom, and are to be found in that 
pride, and worldliness, and ambition, and love of pleasure, whica 
reign predominant in the hearts of the unrenewed, and which ex- 
ist to an alarming extent among ministers, elders, deacons, and 
private members of the church of Christ. Many, in christian as 
well as heathen lands, have their idols, and they are too stronglv 
attached to them to give them up without a severe struggle. Thos i 
who would attempt the work, must count the cost, and make u» 
their minds to put on the whole christian armour, and prepare to 
receive many fiery darts from the enemy, before he will submit 



II. 

Means which appear to have been blessed in promoting 
this Revival 



1. Seasons of fasting and prayer. In most, if not all, the so- 
cieties which have shared in this work of grace, days have been 
set apart for the special object of praying for the influences of the 
Spirit, to humble and sanctify the professed disciples of Christ, 
and to convert sinners. The blessing of God on such seasons, 
has been most apparent, where Christians have looked forward to 
them with interest, and made them a subject of prayer. 

2. Confession of sin in churches. Wherever churches have met, 
and with evident sincerity of heart, confessed their " faults one to 
another," God has granted them a sweet sense of his forgiving 
mercy, given them free access to his throne of grace in praying for 
others, and great boldness and zeal in using means for their sal- 
vation. 

3. Church discipline. This has tended to humble churches, and 
to alarm the impenitent. Discipline, judiciously administered, 
has been found a powerful method of enforcing some of the truths 
*>f the gospel. Many are hardened in unbelief by the irregular 
lives of professors. When such are led to repent and confess their 
sins, or are excluded from the church, one of the objections is re- 
moved, with which sinners often successfully ward off the sword 
of the Spirit pointed at their heart. 

4. Visiting from house to house. This has been done exten- 
sively. These visits have been strictly religious. Every member 
of the family, capable of receiving instruction, has been address- 
ed ; and such visits have usually been closed with prayer, adapted 
to the character and circumstances of the different members of 
the family. By such visits, many have been addressed who could 
be addressed no where else, and who were thus brought to attend on 
the usual means of grace; cold professors have been roused, and 
many careless sinners awakened. 

5. Preaching the gospel, its doctrines and precepts, its promises 
and threatenings, with great plainness and earnestness. Every 



37 

class of people have been addressed with truths adapted to their 
character. — Churches have been reproved in the most pointed 
manner, for their lukewarmness, their pride, and worldliness, and 
unbelief. They have been urged as strongly to repent and humble 
themselves before God, as the most rebellious sinners. This plain 
and faithful application of divine truth to the churches, while it 
has produced great searchings of heart, and led some to abandon 
their hopes, has, in several cases, excited greater alarm among 
sinners, than a direct address. The truths of God's word have 
been pressed upon sinners without respect of persons. The sinner 
has been followed into all his hiding places. Every mask has been 
torn off from the moralist and self-righteous. The deceitfulness 
of the heart has been exposed, and the sinner has been met at 
every turn, with the naked sword of the spirit pointed at his breast. 
While Christians have prayed with more faith than usual, minis- 
ters have also preached with more faith than heretofore. They 
have felt the importance of probing the disease of sin to the core. 
They have appeared to throw themselves upon the altar, resolving 
to preach Me truth of God, if they were DRivEN/rom their socie- 
ties, or sacrificed by the rage of the wicked. This preaching has, 
as might be expected, produced much commotion. But while 
some have, with unwonted strength, braced themselves against the 
truth, and hardened their hearts, till their case may be hopeless, 
multitudes slain by it, have applied to the " blood of sprinkling'* 
for relief, and have found joy and peace in believing. 

6. Union of feeling and effort in churches, has promoted this 
revival. Where the great body of the church has come up to the 
help of the Lord, the work has been powerful: and although there 
have been in most of the churches, some who have stood all the 
day idle ; yet a larger proportion have manifested a deep interest in 
the work, than in former revivals. The coldness or the opposition 
of professors has been found far more injurious than the opposi- 
tion of others. 

This union in contiguous churches, has strengthened each other 
in the work. When sinners have been offended at the preaching 
in one place, or been convicted and fled to another for relief, in- 
stead of being countenanced in their opposition, they have met 
with the same faithful treatment, till worried with the stings of an 
accusing conscience, they have submitted themselves to God, 



SB 

Some, it is true, have fled where they have found an opiate, which 
has lulled them into a sleep, from which they may never awake. 

Nothing has been found more disheartening to ministers, than 
cold or cross elders and professors; but it is cause of gratitude that 
the number of such has been small. 

T. Meetings of inquiry have been greatly blessed. As the na- 
ture of these meetings is generally understood, and as the manner 
in which they have been conducted in this revival, has been in a 
measure described in the preceding accounts, it is unnecessary to 
say more. 

8. Avoiding disputes upon minor points. Care has been taken 
to guard Christians against all sectarian feelings. In some in- 
stances, injury has been done; but we believe that the churches 
generally, have done less to grieve the Spirit, by any improper 
conduct in this respect, than is common in revivals. Indeed we 
may say, that, with few exceptions, churches of different names 
have felt and manifested more solicitude to make converts than 
proselytes. 

9. Urging awakened sinners to immediate repentance and re* 
conciliation to God. No excuse, on account of human depravity, 
or human dependence and divine agency, has been allowed. To 
all such objections, a "thus saith the Lord," has been the reply. 
Where instruction was needed, the nature and reasonableness of 
these duties have been fully pointed out. If the impenitent have 
still pleaded any excuse, they have been told that the controversy 
was between them and God, and with him they must settle it. The 
effect of this mode of address, generally, has been, that conviction 
has increased, until the sinner has surrendered himself into the 
hands of a holy, sovereign, and merciful God. 

10. The visits of ministers, professors and others, where revi- 
vals had commenced, have had a powerful effect in extending the 
work. Ministers and private Christians have thus been refreshed. 
When they returned home, they have told others, and exhorted 
their brethren to awake. Sinners have, in many cases, returned, 
rejoicing in hope, or deeply convicted. Thus, the holy fire has 
spread and blazed in every direction. 

11. The preaching and other labours of evangelists, have been 
a very obvious and efficient means of originating and carrying for- 
ward the work. Ministers have thus received essential assistance. 



39 

More ministerial labour, which was so much needed, has thus been 
bestowed, than one man could have performed. The opinion of 
some, that there ought to be evangelists in the church, whose prin- 
cipal business should be to aid settled ministers in the frequent 
revivals which prevail in our country, is strengthened by their 
usefulness in this revival. Whether provision should be made for 
their support, by societies formed for the purpose, or whether this 
should be left to the liberality of churches and individuals bene- 
fitted by their labours, is a question which the committee feel in- 
competent to decide. The future providence of God may throw 
light on this subject. 

12. United, agonizing, persevering prayer. This has evidently 
been one of the principal means which God has blessed, in origin- 
ating and extending this work of grace. The promises of God, 
made to prayer, have been frequently presented ; and Christians, 
encouraged by these promises, have wrestled with the God of Ja- 
cob, in public prayer meetings, and in the family and the closet. 
Prayer meetings have been numerous and frequent in most of the 
churches. Small circles for praver have been held by Christians, 
where both sexes have engaged in this duty, and where individuals 
have often been made the subjects of special prayer. In these 
little circles, Christians have enjoyed the presence of God, and 
have had great freedom and boldness in approaching the throne of 
grace. Never have our churches, generally, appeared to entertain 
so delightful and exalted ideas of God, as the hearer of the prayer 
of faith. 

13. The instructions given in Sabbath schools and bible classes, 
have been eminently blessed. A large number of those who be- 
long to our Sabbath schools, give satisfactory evidence of piety. 
Superintendents and teachers have, in many cases, been the ho- 
noured instruments of their conversion. In several instances, 
most of the members of bible classes, have become converts, and 
promise to be among the most stable and valuable members of our 
churches; and should bible classes and Sabbath schools continue to 
multiply, as they have done a few years past, we may hope the 
time will soon arrive, when most of the rising generation will be 
converted in youth, and that the violent " stirs" now raised against 
revivals, will cease for want of materials. 



Extract from a Naraiive of the revival of religion iit Ithaca 
Drawn up by Rev. William Wisner, the Pastor of the Presby- 
terian Church in that place. 

In the former part of June, 1826, two or three pious individuals 
appeared more awake to the worth of souls, than usual. The 
case of Jonathan and his armour bearer was brought up in a reli- 
gious conference, and seemed to inspire some with confidence, 
that spiritual victory did not depend on numbers. 

Soon after this, a few pious females revived a prayer meeting? 
which had slept for years, and the effect was, as might have been 
expected^ refreshing to the souls of those who attended it. 

In the latter part of June, arrangements were made for cele- 
brating the Jubilee of our National Independence, in the usual 
manner; but a few christians, feeling that they could not partici ; 
pate in such a celebration, resolved to observe the day religiously. 
This measure was pretty severely censured by some, as one cal- 
culated to make divisions, and many predicted a very thin atten- 
dance on the religious celebration. When the day arrived how- 
ever, the sanctuary was crowded to overflowing; and the exercises 
were solemn and interesting. At the close of the service a col- 
lection was taken up to purchase bibles for the destitute in this 
town. From this time, the conversation in our streets was more 
upon religious subjects than had been common. A youth's prayer 
meeting was established, and the Sabbath school and bible class 
connected with this congregation were more deeply affected witbi 
a sense of divine things. 

Through the months of August and September prayer meetings 
were multiplied, and a spirit of prayer among christians seemed 
rapidly to increase. The latter part of September a few sinners 
began to be affected with a sense of their danger, and on the 30th 
one was, in the judgment of charity, renewed by the Holy Ghost. 
Christians now began to agonize in prayer, and felt that they 
could not let the Saviour go without a blessing. In the course of 
the following week, another soul was brought to Christ, and in 
a few days we ventured to say there was a revival of religion in 
Ithaca. 

By the 5th day of November, there were about sixty -five indulg- 
ing hopes, and thirty-eight were added to the church. 

From this Sabbath the work seemed to decline, and continued 



41 

to do 90 until it became very distressing to christians 5 and tlm 
enemies of religion, some of them, rejoiced aloud, and consider- 
ed themselves as having gained a victory. The triumphing of 
the wicked, and the sighs and tears of God's people, were for 
some days heard and seen in our streets. A day of fasting, hu*> 
miliation and prayer was appointed, and observed by the church,— 1 
christians, we hope, were in some measure humbled under a, 
sense of their sins; they poured out their distress before God, and 
besought him, for the honor of his holy name, to revive his work f 
On Wednesday, the 29th of November, two or three indi* 
viduals requested prayers at our Wednesday evening lecture, and 
one of them that night obtained comfort. The next morning^ 
while a few christians were assembled at the house of the indivi- 
dual above alluded to, to return thanks to God, and unite in 
prayer for another individual residing in his family, who was then 
under great distress of mind, she too was converted to Christ, 
A new impulse was now given to the work: Friday and Saturday 
were days of great agony in prayer, and a number were brought 
to submit themselves unto God. Sabbath was a solemn day.— » 
Monday evening, the meeting of enquiry for anxious persons was 
much crowded, and two precious souls, we had reason to hope, 
were in that meeting delivered from the bondage of Satan. 
Tuesday morning, finding three or four individuals in great dis- 
tress of mind, / requested a few christians to meet at the house of 
one of our brethren, to pray for them. The meeting commenced 
with five or six christians, and four anxious persons. The spirit 
©f the Lord came down with great power, and three of the anxious 
persons soon began to rejoice in the Lord. " When these things 
were noised abroad, the multitude came together;" — the room, 
though large, soon was crowded to overflowing, the Spirit continue 
©d present with his regenerating influences, and many who came 
mourning went away rejoicing. None were willing to retire for 
refreshment, and the whole day was spent in agonizing prayer. 
The evening service was at the court room, which was much 
•rowded, and very solemn. By nine o'clock the congregation 
were dismissed, but I have reason to believe, with little disposition 
to sleep. Wednesday morning, at 9, the congregation assembled 
again, at the house of the brother before alluded to; but we soon 
became so crowded as to adjourn to the court house, which was 
filled with christians and anxious sinners, till about, nine at night* 



4% 

when we adjourned to meet the next morning at the sanctuary, to 
keep a day of thanksgiving and praise, agreeably to the recom- 
mendation of the governor of our State. 

Thanksgiving morning, the sanctuary was crowded at an early 
hour, so that, though the house was large, every vacant space was 
filled with seats. An awful solemnity pervaded the whole as- 
sembly, which was only broken by occasional half suppressed 
sobs or anguish. Never before did I behold so solemn an assem- 
bly, and never before did I feel so sensibly the awful ness of the 
divine presence. When the hour of service had arrived, I 
preached to my people from the text "Rejoice with trembling;" 
and never in my life felt more like a dying man, preaching to dy- 
ing men. After service, we had a short recess for dinner, and 
then reassembled in the court room for prayer and conversation. 
Through the remainder of this week the courtroom was crowded 
from morning till nine at night, for prayer and religious instruction. 

The next Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord's supper was ad- 
ministered, and eighty-six persons received to the church. 
From this time the work was less powerful, though a very in- 
teresting and pleasing work of grace has continued down to the 
present day. From the last week in September, to the last week 
in January, there have been, in my own congregation, about 
300 hopeful conversions to Christ, and there have been two hun- 
dred and twenty, added to the church, of which I have the care. 
Of this latter number, 80 are heads of families, 21 are the hus- 
bands of believing wives, 127 are baptised children. All ages 
have been brought in, from the old man of three score and ten, to 
the child of six or seven; and all classes, from the refined 
moralist to the profane debauchee. All professions and callings, 
lawyers, magistrates, merchants, mechanics, farmers and day 
labourers, have shared in this mighty work. 

The work has been deep and solemn, and the most perfect or- 
der and subordination has prevailed I have known but one case 
in my congregation during the whole course of the revival in which 
there was the least disorder, and that was only a single exclama- 
tion ot a female who was overcome by her feelings. Our evening 
meetings have usually been dismissed by half after eight, and 
always by nine, though christians who had the command of their 
time have frequently met at a private house and continued prayer 
after our public meetings were out. 



43 

Convictions have been very deep, and in many in stanxo 9 so over- 
powering, that the subjects of them have been confined v, ^ ei * r 
beds until they obtained comfort. All who have been the subj^g 
of this work, have been experimentally taught that the natural 
heart was wholly opposed to God, and that salvation was wholly 
of grace; — they have felt that they must be born again, and when 
they have experienced that change, they have ascribed it wholly to 
the discriminating grace of God. The church has been greatly re- 
freshed by this work, christians have grown in grace and in 
knowledge, and have partaken largely of that love, joy, and 
peace, which are the fruits of the spirit. 

In regard to the preaching of the gospel, it has been essential- 
ly the same as has been enjoyed here for ten years. I have al- 
ways endeavoured to open and explain the nature of that contro*- 
versy which exists between God and his rebellious creatures. 
The total depravity and deep rooted enmity of the heart against 
God, the uncontrouled sovereignty of Jehovah, the necessity of 
regeneration, justification by faith, the necessity of personal holi- 
ness, a judgment day, and the eternal punishment of the finally 
impenitent in hell, have been subjects which I have always en- 
deavoured to keep distinctly before my people. 

When sinners began to be anxious and inquire what they 
should do to be saved, great pains were taken to show them 
that their first work was to repent and believe, or submit to 
God, and give their hearts to him, and that until they did this, 
they performed no duty nor escaped any danger. 

I have been particular in stating this because I know that a dif- 
ferent course has been pursued by some men for whose piety and 
usefulness I have a very high respect, and because I am satisfied 
that an opposite course is contrary to the word of God, and dan- 
gerous to the souls of men. It is the duty of all men to pray, 
lifting up holy hands; but it is an awful insult to have the impeni- 
tent rebel lift up his polluted hands towards the throne of the 
Eternal, while his heart is rankling with enmity against God. 
Every impenitent sinner is the rebel enemy of heaven, and if you 
set him to doing any thing as a means of becoming reconciled to 
God, you divert his attention from the immediate duty of repen- 
tance and faith. It is a total perversion of the scriptures to talk 
of the sinner's making use of means with God; the means of grace 
are in the bands of the Lord, and he is using then! with his rebel 




44 

creatures, yd. it is only necessary for them to accept of his offers 
of eten}X^f e > anQl their souls shall live. Submission or damna- 
tiox* s the alternative which God places before the sinner, and 
ad better not substitute any thing else for it. 
I have never seen or read of a revival in which the almighty 
power of God was so visible, since the days of the apostles. 
Though christians have been greatly encouraged to work, they 
have been led to see that they were nothing but instruments 
in the hands of that God, who, though he condescended to work 
by them, could as easily work without them. 

I have had but little help from abroad — probably not more 
than four or five sermons during the whole of the revival, with 
the exception of the timely help afforded me by the Presbytery 
during their session in January, which I have reason to hope was 
greatly blessed to the souls of my people. But what I have lack- 
ed in assistance from abroad has been made up' to me by the 
zealous and unremitting efforts of the elder.) of the church, and 
my lay members. The brethren of the church, including the 
young converts, have come up in a body to the work of the Lord. 
Our pious females too, though they have conceived \t their duty to 
keep silence in the church, have been indefatigable in their hum- 
ble and unassuming labours of love. I have always had a high esteem 
for the pious labours of private christians, but J have never till now 
seen the glorious efficacy of such exertions. I have been told in 
times past, by some of my ministerial brethren, that to encourage 
laymen to go forward in exhortation and prayer, would lead them 
to usurp authority, and aim at being rulers in the church; but I 
can now say from the test of experience, that there is no founda- 
tion for such fears. Those dear brethren in Christ, with whom I 
have taken sweet counsel as we walked to the house of God, and 
who have sustained and supported me under a weight of responsi- 
bility and labour which I could never have borne alone, have been 
the farthest from assuming authority, or indulging in a haughty 
spirit. I am satisfied that there has been a sad mistake in the 
church of God on this subject; and before the world shall be 
brought Into subjection to the law of Christ; all who hear and 
accept the gospel will join their vaice with the spirit and the 
bride and say " corned £% 1 1 ft P 




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